.. I swear I’ve been meaning to post.
Truly. Cross my heart. Pinky promise. But somehow “I’ll post tomorrow” turned into “what month is it again?”
And yet… here we are.
Welcome back to the Whitterview!
Yes, it’s been quiet. Suspiciously quiet. But that’s because I’ve been in the lab: listening, learning, watching, lurking (professionally), and tracking down the next stars I want to sit down and have a conversation with.
And while I’ve been away? A brand new season of The Challenge dropped.
Season 41: Vets & New Threats.
And today? Oh honey, we’re not just talking about any new threat.
We’re talking about a new threat who walked in… made noise… and made a come back from behind, WIN.
I am beyond excited to introduce you to Yeremi Hykel: From The Amazing Race to The Challenge, and now officially in his champion era. And the first contestant from TAR to win The Challenge!
So lets get to it, shall we?
IN-TRO-DUCING Yeremi!
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Tell me about you!
YH: I'm 27 years old from Central Texas. (Kyle), He joined the US Marine Corp. After leaving the Marines, I went to Texas State university and received a marketing degree.
Growing up did you ever think you’d get into reality tv?
YH: Spending time in the Marine Corp, I was ready to get out and didn't want my entire life to be surrounded by being in the Marines. I always sought out challenges and challenging environments but I never for a second thought I'd be on this type of reality tv or any reality tv. I had the idea I was going to go to school and open up a motorcycle business. The only reality show I knew was watching Jersey Shore on deployment.
And now here we are. His reality tv era.
Yeremi, tell me about your time on The Amazing Race?
YH: It was an incredible experience, being dropped in a area and told to just figure it out. It was so stressful. You don't know where you are, or how the other teams are doing. You need help? Go ask someone. Quite child like. But it was a fun, incredible, and such a great GREAT experience. And to have my brother as my partner, our dynamic was very supportive, encouraging and full of love. The only bad part was how we finished. (9th place)
How did you get casted for TAR?
YH: During my time in college I participated in an exchange program at University of Hawaii Manoa (UHM). I was on a waterfall hike and met a guy that was on reality tv... Travis Long (Big Brother). Thru Travis casting producers reached out and asked if I wanted to apply for Big Brother. Nothing happened from there, but the same producers then approached me for TAR. Then from there you go through the casting process and six rounds of interviews.
Now when you got that call to be asked to compete on the most recent season of the Challenge, what were you feeling?
YH: Once you get on reality TV you start connecting. I had just recently graduated college, I could either go corporate or do an internship or live life outside and start traveling. I chose the ladder option. The first six months were anxiety inducing, kept asking myself "what am I doing?" Then at the tail end of my travels I was in Iceland and the Netherlands. While in the Netherlands I was approached by a casting producer of The Challenge, which is when I first heard about the show and that's when it became my dream show. I trained. Watching videos, seasons, analyzing moves, dissecting it, practicing math.. puzzles.. Then I got the phone call saying I was chosen and it felt so amazing to be picked for my now dream show.
Tell me about your Rookie Challenge season. What was your least favorite challenge? What about your favorite?
YH: It was truly an experience. The interrogation was frightening but then getting to day 0 and running up the mountain, and winning the first challenge. I was like "I can do this. I am a new threat. I am a competitor." But then I was like shit... I'm showing right away that I am a threat. From there I chose my partners strategically to place on the side of protection. Every single decision mattered. Every single partner mattered and their strings. I knew I needed to perform well in the daily challenges to have the best partner. But that's a double edged sword, because then more people wanted to throw you in based on how you do. My least favorite challenge was Dirtballer, the digging one making your own field goal, it was a lot of physical work especially when having a herniated disc in my back. My favorite challenge was Running Man inspired by Glen Powell's new film. It was full of endurance and strength, especially knowing how to drive stick (learned from my time in TAR), and then we won the challenge!
And as we all know about the mini finale where no one won because of the cheating scandal in the eating portion, I am happy to let you all know Yeremi did in fact eat EVERYTHING. No cheating here!
If you got to choose your partner for the next season pick one male and one female you dream of being partnered up with one day and for the whole season.
YH: Lets see for a male, Devin Walker. One of the most brilliant minds of the challenge in the last 20 years. I want someone who will push me in a different way and vice versa. We would compliment each other.
For a female, Michelle Fitzgerald. As I say this, I am remembering they are a couple. She's a strategic mind, I would love to learn from her and see how she thinks about the game and how she navigates all the different routes.
Now lets get to the big moment of the season, the finale. An incredible come from behind win. As you made your way to the top of that Mountain and finishing what were you feeling?
YH: Up until passing Sydney and Turbo, it was full of relentless grit and determination as well as perseverance. As we made our way up the Andes Mountains it was getting colder, windier, steeper. But once passing those two, I was near zombified. On the brink of collapse, I couldn't feel my fingers. It was grueling. Olivia was so good at vocalizing in those final moments, very supporting telling me we can do this, please keep going. In the first half of the final it was my job to take care of her, but the final leg, it was her taking care of me. Feeling defeated after losing connect 4, her support helped push us to the win in the final moments.
YH: I don't know. I am not sure. But if the challenge calls, I will always answer. I will always make room in my life for them. It's not just a competition. Its a show I genuinely care about.
I have to ask about Santiago. My boyfriend is from there and this was his first full season watching The Challenge (he’s a big fan of yours!). It looked stunning on screen. What was your time in Chile like?
YH: It was an experience. To experience all the elements and the terrains. I very clearly remember it had just rained a lot and I woke up to a clear day, the mountains were gorgeous, crystal clear. It was immaculate scenery and the weather was fantastic with no humidity. The PA's (production assistants) were local from Chile, and those people, I really REALLY enjoyed them, the most nicest, kindest, hospitable people. They were a large pillar of sanity for me in the house.
Besides being in the spotlight, what else do you do for work?
YH: For work, I am a signed model with a modeling agency. I also do content creation. I try to do as little work and as much living as possible to the highest degree.
And finally the question I ask everyone, if you could have dinner with 3 people who would they be and why?
YH: The three people would be:
Robert Greene, Best selling author, of The 48 Laws of Power. A book about manipulation. I read it before going onto The Challenge to give an edge to strategy.
Adam Driver, actor. Previous Marine, we were both stationed at the same base. While working security for the SAG awards, I saw him and felt a familiar connection by not even talking to him.
And finally, David Miscavige. The leader of scientology. I think scientology is very interesting. It's somewhat of a cult, so I would want to sit him down and pick his mind on his beliefs, and press him to see how much he truly believes and how much he actually knows.
Follow Along with Yeremi:
Instagram: @yeremi.hykel
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